Banting: study shows Tim Noakes’ low carb eating plan no better than a balanced diet

Cape Town 10 July 2014 – The health-e website has published findings of a Stellenbosch University study on whether the extremely popular Tim Noakes “Banting” diet is in fact all it’s cracked up to be.

According to the article, the evidence published in the international PLOS ONE journal yesterday showed that the Banting lifestyle, (that restricts carbohydrate intake in favour of fats), “resulted in weight loss by restricting caloric intake – not by lowering the amount of carbohydrates consumed.”

The SU study reviewed the result of 19 international scientific trials. As part of these trials, about 3200 participants were placed either on low-carbohydrate or balanced weight loss diets. The study measured the diets’ impacts on risk factors related to heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

What are the risks?

“Based on the current evidence we cannot recommend a low-carbohydrate diet to the public,” said Dr Vash Mungal-Singh , CEO of Heart and Stroke Foundation South Africa.

She also goes on to say, “studies already point towards an increased risk of heart disease and death with low carbohydrate diets.” This appears to be a rather vague statement – with no clarity as to what exact studies she is referring to.

Tim Noakes’ book, The Real Meal Revolution which has sold out numerous times across the country, advocates a diet high in saturated fats like animal fats, butter and lard. Traditionally these fats are associated with high cholesterol and other lifestyle diseases. Prof Noakes has spent countless hours challenging this.

Many have started Banting as a result of his influence and have achieved very positive results. Just read some of the comments in our low carb high fat articles below.

Low Carbohydrate High Fat (LCHF) diet and what is ‘banting’?

TIME Magazine says scientists were wrong about fat

Top 10 low carb high fat recipes for Banting

Banting and eating out

Restaurant chains are even offering low carb high fat menu options because the demand is so huge – with Kauai being the first chain to introduce cauli-rice onto its menu. Other stand-alone restaurants, like Freres Bistro and 65 on Main in Cape Town have established themselves as Banting go-to restaurants among the carb-conscious community. Looking for a Banting treat? Hard Pressed Cafe is pushing the boat out and serving #lchf cheesecake!

With the country going low carb crazy, the Heart and Stroke Foundation and many other dietetic practices are going to have a hard time contesting ” Prof Tim’s “revolution”.

What are your thoughts? Tell us below in the comments section.

Article source: health-e.org.za